Former Manchester United assistant coach Mike Phelan feels that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo would listen to a possible offer made by the Premier League club.
The Portuguese forward enjoyed six successful years at Old Trafford before his big money for to the Spanish capital, and Phelan, who was Alex Ferguson’s second-in-command at United, believes Ronaldo would seriously consider an offer from the Red Devils, if one was made.
“Ronaldo loved his time at Manchester United and, if Manchester United were interested in him again, then he would listen to that because part of his career has come through Man United,” Phelan toldIBTimes UK.
Yet the now Norwich City first team coach was realistic in saying that in his current form and impressive run, Ronaldo would unlikely make a return to England anytime soon.
“But listen, he is where he is because of him being Ronaldo and, at the moment, Madrid are successful so I can’t see why he would think about coming back to Manchester United now,” he acknowledged.
Phelan, who left United with Ferguson in 2013, feels his former club, who he also played form between 1989 and 1994, feels the club do not need reinforcements this January with the star-studded squad they already possess.
“Do they need to sign anyone? I’m not there anymore but what I’ve seen is that a full Manchester United squad going into January will be formidable,” he said. “They have quality.
“There haven’t been many times when they’ve purchased in January apart from rare examples – [Nemanja] Vidic, [Patrice] Evra, et cetera.
“It’s been the case of seeing what is out there, what you can bring in and the amount you are willing to spend. It is an inflated market.”
United currently sit third in the Premier League standings, nine points adrift of joint leaders Chelsea and Manchester City.